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When it comes to skincare, I am a big believer that prevention is better than cure. A solid daily skincare regime combined with targeted maintenance such as monthly facials or peels are a sure fire way to keep skin health in check and knock any issues on the head. But as our days get busier, and with so many treatments available, it can sometimes become all too hard to know what to select for maintenance, let alone find a time to fit it in. Recently, I was treated to a HydraFacial at Skin Clinic Fremantle. Hailed as the ultimate multi-step treatment, the HydraFacial is a resurfacing procedure that promises clear and evenly toned skin, without any downtime. Read about my experience and why I’ll be making this incredible treatment part of my regular skin maintenance.

Originating from California, the HydraFacial is the ultimate multi-step treatment that promises to “cleanse, evenly exfoliate and extract to remove impurities and dead skin cells while also replenishing vital nutrients including Antioxidants, Peptides and Hyaluronic Acid.” The treatment uses a unique Vortex-Fusion serum delivery system to deposit medical grade serum into the skin at each step which helps loosen up dead skin cells while simultaneously vacuuming the skin and removing excess oil and other congestion. It is completely painless, not time intensive and requires no down time. In fact, I went to my friend’s engagement party on the evening after my treatment, looking quite radiant might I add.

The Skin Clinic Fremantle is a boutique medical practice offering comprehensive skin cancer service, including screening, and both surgical and non-surgical treatments including cosmetics. Owned and run by Dr Sarah Boxley, the clinic provides a dedicated and caring level of service to all who walk through the doors.

I arrive to Skin Clinic Fremantle on a wet and windy Saturday for my HydraFacial. Located in the heart of the port city, the clinic keeps a discreet profile on the street – perfect for those after a little more privacy. Today I am in the very capable hands of Vicky, a dermal therapist who has been in the business for over 20 years and whose passion for skin and beauty is infectious. The treatment begins with a skin consultation where Vicky and I chat about my main skin concerns (congestion and oiliness – always!), my current skincare regime and some recommendations moving forward. Vicky also introduces me to Synergie Skin, a range I have been dying to try, and suggests a few products to incorporate into my daily routine.

After a quick cleanse using Synergie Skin UltraCleanse to remove any makeup, Vicky began the five-step HydraFacial process. Step one involves a thorough cleanse and exfoliation where excess skin cells are removed to reveal healthy new skin. Step two involves an acid peel, which sounds scary but is honestly the best thing for loosening dirt and debris from the pores without irritation and to make way for step three, extractions. This is a completely painless step where pores are cleaned out with vortex suction. Next, skin is infused with antioxidants and hyaluronic acid to nourish and protect, reduce the appearance of fine lines and provide deep hydration.

Following this, I am led into another treatment room for 15 minutes of absolute bliss under the Healite. The LED light enhance’s the body’s natural cellular recovery including improving healing times, promoting skin rejuvenation and subsiding active acne. Vicky leaves me under the warm lamp while my skin soaks up the goodness of the HydraFacial.

I am on cloud nine as I wander back to the reception where Vicky sees me off. Later that day I had my makeup done for a party and my makeup artist commented on the visible glow my skin was boasting and how well makeup was sitting on the skin. The weeks following my HydraFacial my skin felt super cleansed and springy, it had finally had the clean it really deserved! Makeup sat so well, products absorbed beautifully and my skin felt its healthiest in a long time.

The bottom line? I’m convinced.

HydraFacial will set you back $160 at Skin Clinic Fremantle. The procedure is painless and takes only about 30 minutes – hello lunch time facial!

You’ve heard it all before, the best way to achieve beautiful skin is to eat a diet high in nutrients and full of fruit and vegetables. A healthy inside means you’ll glow on the outside right? Sure, but what if you could add just that little bit extra to your daily intake of goodness and really make your skin radiant? Introducing, The Beauty Chef, an Australian beauty supplement brand founded by Carla Oates that has been an absolute skinchanger for me. I road tested a few of their products and here’s what I found…

After a few indulgent months of Christmas and Summer holidays, I started my New Years health kick (along with everyone else). But in addition to getting back to the gym and eating properly again, I wanted to add a little something more to really cleanse and reset my system. I felt sluggish, bloated and my skin wasn’t looking great. After a little research, I came across The Beauty Chef, a range of health and beauty products that aim to support beautiful skin, a healthy gut and a balanced body.

Good gut health can be a game changer to achieving healthy, radiant skin, in fact impaired gut flora is the root of many skin concerns including inflammation, acne, dermatitis and psoriasis just to name a few. Even if you are experiencing congestion or dull, lifeless skin, a good probiotic in your regime will work wonders.

GLOW INNER BEAUTY BODY POWDER
This superfood beauty blend is designed to improve gut health and enhance skin radiance and texture. This daily beauty supplement is formulated with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty and amino acids, prebiotics and probiotics which, when taken regularly, help achieve a smooth and radiant complexion.

I take this supplement every evening, dissolved in a glass of water. The powder formula dissolves easily but I do find some sediment sinks to the bottom of the glass so drink quickly. It tastes like berry cordial and is also a great addition to a smoothie. After only having used this product for a couple of weeks I noticed a definite improvement in skin clarity, hydration and luminosity. I also felt a significant improvement in my overall gut health and digestion.

I have fallen in love with this product and find it works wonders on my skin. I take it daily, mixed with the Glow Inner Beauty Powder. It wasn’t long until I started noticing a visibly plumper complexion and just a general boost in skin radiance. When taken with the Inner Beauty Powder, I felt that both products worked nicely together to improve my gut health and are a really delicious way to consume probiotics too.

BODY INNER BEAUTY BODY POWDER VANILLA (WITH MATCHA)
There is so much to love about this plant based protein powder. The all natural, vegan, Certified Organic formula is great as a snack or as a meal replacement and boosts your daily protein and nutrient intake. Jam packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, BODY is the ultimate nutrition supplement.

I add a scoop of BODY to my green smoothies for breakfast or blitz with some almond milk and frozen raspberries for a pre-workout or afternoon snack and find it keeps me going for hours. It curbs sugar cravings and helps to boost metabolism thanks to the added benefits of pure Matcha.

Skin is the body’s largest organ and sadly, often the most overlooked. With so many skincare products on the shelves these days it can be mighty confusing when it comes to choosing the right skincare and all too easy to shell out a small fortune for products that are prettied up with nice branding but in reality, don’t do an awful lot. Proper skincare includes a daily regime that cleanses, corrects, hydrates and protects skin from both internal and external stressors. I spoke to one of Perth’s leading Dermal Therapists and owner of La Belle Peau, Kim Tran, on the importance of good skincare and the products she can’t live without.

Prevention is better than treatmentEarly detection is important to stop issues in their tracks with the right treatment and products. Seeking expert advice from a reputable Dermal Therapist will set you in good stead to understand what is happening with your skin. They have the skills, product knowledge and access to results driven skincare. Look for someone who has the latest skin analysis technology, such as the VISIA Skin Analysis System. This allows them to pick up any underlying issues beneath the surface of the skin that is not yet visible on the outside.

Mix it upYour skin is always changing due to factors such as age and seasons and gets used to the same products if used long term. Mixing up your skincare routine regularly is important to help boost results. The Dermal Therapist you went to see in step one (go on) will be able to guide you on this.

Block it outI can’t stress enough how important it is to reapply sunscreen throughout the day! My favourite trick for those wearing makeup, is to use a sunscreen powder, such as ColoreScience Sunforgettable Powder SPF 50+. The protection kicks in immediately so you don’t have to wait 20 minutes like a traditional sunscreen, plus your foundation stays put!

Say no to sugarSugar attacks your skin cells and collagen fibres, causing a loss of elasticity. So to prevent ageing, reduce your sugar intake! This, in conjunction with a well-balanced lifestyle including plenty of water, sleep and exercise make for the perfect building blocks to getting your skin in tip-top shape.

Heal your gutYour gut and your skin are both organs of detoxification, so if you suffer from acne, rosacea, or any chronic inflammation of the skin, make friends with a good probiotic. An unhealthy gut, where there are more bad than good bacteria can lead to a lot of problems. If you are looking to clear your skin, you have to start with your gut.

Kim’s favourite skincare products…My skincare regime changes all the time due to my commitment to our clients at La Belle Peau. I’m always on the hunt to find the latest and the best in skincare to offer at our clinic. Currently, I have these hardworking heroes on rotation:

Not sure where to start? Book in to see one of La Belle Peau’s Dermal Therapists for a skincare consultation. Trained in cosmeceutical science, La Belle Peau’s therapists will prescribe skincare featuring ingredients that will work best for your skin concerns.

A skincare consultation at La Belle Peau includes a VISIA skin scan and analysis which provides an in depth look at what is happening with the skin and help accurately prescribe the most effective skincare regime. You will also receive a free follow up appointment which includes a VISIA scan to check on progress. La Belle Peau will happily exchange your skincare if it doesn’t show any signs of improvement and offer an additional follow up appointment free of charge. The consultation takes 30 minutes and costs $75, which can be redeemed on treatments at the clinic.

So what are you waiting for? Stop wasting money on skincare that doesn’t work. A skincare consultation at La Belle Peau is life changing. You will walk away with not only an effective skincare regime, but also a greater understanding of your skin. Book now!

Situated on the bustling shopping precinct on Racecourse Road in the leafy suburb of Hamilton, lies a renowned beauty destination hailed for its expert advice and premium facial treatments. Under the direction of Sevine Forster, Realskin Clinic is a salon with a difference, to approach skin health from a holistic perspective and to provide treatments that deliver real, visible results.

Founder and Director, Sevine Forster was drawn to a career of science based facial treatments in Australia after returning from London where she studied and worked for five years. 2014 saw a rebrand and change of location for Realskin, where a more exclusive offering was created for clients seeking high-end speciality treatments. Realskin Clinic offers a range of effective, tailored facial treatments to treat a variety of skin concerns, across three main areas – speciality treatments, clinical facials and skin health facials.

Sevine and her team of internationally trained beauty and skin health therapists work passionately to ensure the highest level of service and care is provided for every valued client. And the proof is in the pudding; beautifully captured photographs of Realskin’s clients adorn the walls of each room, showing new clients just what can be achieved with the right treatment.

It is pre-Christmas and the end of a very long and stressful year is visible in my face; fine lines, congestion and dullness. To help restore balance and skin health, I am booked in for a Signature Facial at Realskin, a sophisticated and luxurious facial ritual that promises results.

I arrive for my treatment on a stormy, humid Brisbane afternoon and greeted in the cool reception by Sevine and her team. The salon is sleek and chic where understated tones of birch, white and soft blues create a relaxed atmosphere and match the Doctor Babor, Ultraceuticals and Jane Iredale skincare products on display.

Shortly after arriving, I am whisked away into a treatment room where I am tucked into a bed of plush white towels, ready for the beautiful experience that is to follow. The room was whisper quiet and soothingly peaceful and it wasn’t long until I had completely blissed out. The Signature Facial is performed with Doctor Babor products, an advanced cosmeceutical line of skincare from Germany.

I am in the very capable hands of Sevine, who began the facial with a deep breathing protocol allowing my body’s energy to flow. Following a selection of advanced facial inclusions, the Babor Contour Mask was applied to my face. Packed with vitamins and healing clay to promote skin rejuvenation for fresh and radiant skin, this contour mask is very thick and cooling, it takes a good 20 minutes to set.

During this time, Sevine performed a gentle Reiki treatment on me. This ancient Japanese healing technique is used to help centre and balance the body and invoke a sense of stillness and clarity. Having never experienced Reiki before, I found this to be a truly unique experience. It was incredibly calming and allowed me to let go of a lot of tension I didn’t even know I was harbouring. Not to mention I slept like a baby that night!

At the end of my treatment, I floated out into the night, skin supple and full of hydration and feeling so incredibly relaxed, rejuvenated and peaceful – the stresses of 2016 well and truly behind me. Despite the indulgences of the festive season, my skin continued to boast that beautiful post-facial glow every day following my treatment, negating the need for much (if any) make up.

This was not your garden-variety facial, it was the precise balance of beauty and results, and an exceptional experience. With Sevine’s calm approach and meticulous attention to detail, she really cared about my experience.

I travel to Brisbane frequently to visit family and there is no doubt I’ll be back on Racecourse Road to visit Sevine and her team at Realskin Clinic as soon as I am back in town!